T1 kkOma Takes a Break Ahead of LCK Road to MSI: Interim Coach Tom Steps In

The esports organization T1 has shared important news with its fans ahead of the start of the LCK 2026 Road to MSI. It has been announced that the head of the coaching staff, Kim "kkOma" Jeong-gyun, is taking a temporary break from his duties. This decision was made for the coach's personal reasons, and the club's management, after discussions, decided to accommodate him and respect his choice.

Since LCK rules strictly require the presence of a head coach directly at the matches, the team needed a replacement. Im "Tom" Jae-hyeon will now step in as the interim head coach. In its statement, the organization emphasized that Tom has repeatedly demonstrated excellent leadership qualities in the past. The club promised to provide the updated coaching staff and the players with all the necessary support to help them maintain good form throughout the season. T1 also sincerely asks fans to show understanding and continue supporting the roster during this transition period.

Of course, we are all human, and needing to take a leave for personal circumstances is an absolutely normal and understandable situation. No one is immune to needing a break. Nevertheless, from a competitive standpoint, the temporary absence of kkOma as the main strategist still creates major risks for the roster. In the incredibly fierce competition of the Korean league, any restructuring of the workflow, even the most natural one, can temporarily affect the team's stability. Because of this adaptation period to the new work format, T1 may indeed face difficulties and risks not reaching the required form in time to successfully qualify for major international tournaments this year, such as the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and the Esports World Cup (EWC).